Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I note there will be demonstrations on climate change worldwide on Sunday, with the Dublin demonstration taking place at 2 p.m. I hope the Paris conference succeeds but I wish the Irish Government had done more and that it did not balk at complying with regulations and so on. The Canadian Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ms Catherine McKenna, whose father came from Dublin, will attend the Paris conference. Taking local government away from environment and climate change is something this State should consider. I am very thankful that the Minister of State accepted so many amendments but it is a very unsatisfactory way in which to make legislation regarding the environment as there are too many vested interests involved.